Rushmoor Borough Council and Hampshire County Council mark new accommodation in Farnborough

Monday, 14 April 2014

To mark the new Farnborough Hub which accommodates Hampshire County Council and Rushmoor Borough Council in shared offices, a plaque was officially unveiled this week by Hampshire ounty Council Honorary Alderman, Mrs Patricia Devereux, and Leader of Rushmoor Borough Council, Councillor Peter Moyle.

Commenting on the new accommodation, Councillor Peter Moyle, said: "Rushmoor Borough Council has always seen Hampshire County Council as an important partner and we have always enjoyed good working relationships with our county colleagues. Now that we share a building, we are able to work even more closely together for the benefit of our residents and this plaque is an important symbol of our new partnership and a reminder to our residents that we are here to provide accessible services, whether they are delivered by Hampshire or Rushmoor. We are particularly pleased to host Children and Adult Services at the council offices, as we have many links with these particular services. For Rushmoor, the move also provides us with about £170,000 in income and helps to make better use of our building.

"It is with great pleasure that I have been joined by Hampshire Honorary Alderman Pat Devereux to mark the coming together of our two councils, as Mrs Devereux is not only an Honorary Alderman and former Chairman of Hampshire County Council, but also a former Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Rushmoor, as well as serving as a borough councillor for 19 years."

The building is part of Hampshire's overall 'Workstyle' project, where some £14.6 million worth of capital is being generated through the disposal of vacated properties for reinvestment in new office hubs and ploughed back into local services for Hampshire residents. The programme has enabled some 5,500 staff to work more flexibly and many customers have better environments within which to receive a face-to-face service.

Councillor Roy Perry, Leader of Hampshire County Council, said: "The new accommodation was completed at the end of last year and is already saving money on accommodation costs as well as improving access for residents to our services.

"Our 'Workstyle' programme is changing how the County Council operates, the buildings in which we work and the IT that supports us. Our office infrastructure has been reduced in areas by up to 30 per cent and a wide range of service-related efficiencies have been delivered in addition to the financial benefits."